"I see," says Silver solemnly to Nym before she leaves to assist Lumen with the harvest. "You have been through quite an ordeal. You all have," she adds. "And you bring with you so many adventures! Yet as we say, two feet may only walk one path. I have never met a witch, though I have heard that bargains with them are not to be trusted. It may be that she will direct you to special items, may be not, though it may be a moot point if you require the head of an orc - you do not seem to have possession of one, and I will not help you gather one for the sake of treasure," she says possibly.

"Perhaps this discussion is better suited for the morning, when we are less tired. It has been a long day, with a lot of climbing." She rubs her legs which have taken her up and down the side of this butte several times. 

She will also go to bed, unless anything else happens.

After enjoying a late, but wonderfully cooked meal of roast dragon steaks over the fire, specially harvested and prepared by Lumen, you continue to visit with each other, until you finally retire for the night. Fast forward once again, you wake the next morning, feeling rested and, for the most part, full recovered at least physically, from your very big day. 

As you are milling around your campsite eating breakfast, you spot something in the sky, flying over the trees, and for a minute your heart races, thinking it might be another dragon. You quickly realize that it's your mind playing tricks on you, and you see that it is actually a giant eagle that's approaching the keep from the area where you had come. As it gets closer, you can see that a humanoid creature is riding atop the eagle. 

The eagle lands about 50 feet away from you, and you see that the passenger is Aelar. He dismounts and begins walking towards you, and when he sees the Duskbringer's corpse, he falls to his knees and raises his arms in the air and cries out,

"It is true... you were victorious! Duskbringer is no more!!!!"

Irritated from having her blood pressure brought up so quickly after a relatively relaxing morning, all things considered, Chrys barely keeps herself from barking something uncomplimentary towards Aelar.  She eyes the giant eagle warily... birds of that size might very well have a taste for mountain goats.  Or maybe mountain dwarves, if they got their mind to it, who was she to tell?  A lot of the nervousness is dispersed by Aelar's loud declaration. "An' mornin' ta you too," Chrys says, one eyebrow going up.  "Listen, we ain't done cleanin' out the kobolds here yet, so it might not be entirely safe, but ya got the gist o' it... yer nightmare's finally o'er an' ye can reclaim this keep fer yer peoples, the way it's s'pposed ta be."   She looks at the others proudly.  "We done a good thing here, friends."   Then she walks over to Aelar and offers him a hand to help him to his feet.  "Oy, a dead dragon's a dead dragon, but I'm more interested in the fate o' the livin', ta be honest.  Did yer kids made it back safe an' sound wit' Fivin yet?" she asks.

Aelar accepts Chrys's hand and regains his composure as he stands up and looks up at the keep with a mixture of pride and sadness. The eagle sits and rests nearby in the grass.

"I cannot even begin to thank you all for what you have done for us. Your bravery and skill are to be commended and remembered by our kinfolk for as long as we descend through our lines. To have slain a dragon is no easy task and you have done so, with no apparent loss of your own. Duskbrigner's legacy is broken and although her terrible deeds will not be soon forgotten, she herself will fade into the ranks of so many other would-be tyrants who are but insignificant footnotes in the history of the world."

"It saddens me to see the destruction that she caused our home, but it has indeed been reclaimed for ours once again, and it can always be repaired."

"And yes, the children are fine. They are with Lia. We flew in this morning and met with Fivin below, then I came up alone to investigate and see if was safe."

"I am not afraid of a few kobolds, and I should like to accompany you into the keep and help you finish, for to set foot inside my home again would bring me great satisfaction."

Dragon steaks were amazing and while she felt a little conflicted eating a sentient being's flesh, the taste made up for any moral quandary. She found solace in Eilistraee's teachings about the importance of food and providing for others. Utterly exhausted from their day, Nym fell into a deep trance that lasted even an hour past what she usually needed. Reflecting back on her fighting ettercaps and encountering Braida/Oolga and Krackle oddly enough, rather than the intense battle that they just had. Waking when it was still dark and the horizon was only just starting to turn a lighter shade of blue, the drow took time to evaluate herself as she stretched. She felt....whole. Still just a tad sore, but that was to be expected with everything they went through. Her skin felt slightly tighter in places but not painful. Retrieving her longsword quietly she then went through some simple flowing movements with her sword that to a warrior's eye looked like practiced combat maneuvers slowed down to practice in muscle memory but to anyone else would look like a  slow dance between her, her sword and the moonlight shining down.

Stopping when the first person rose, the cleric then set about helping with breakfast and breaking down camp. Hand already on her weapon as a shadow passed by overhead, Nym didn't relax until she sees who exactly the figure riding this strange giant bat- no, bird, was. But even then she worried for the reason behind his presence. His kneeled form surprised her but supposed it made sense considering all that the evil dragon had taken from him and his people. Wincing at his remark about taking down Duskbringer "with no apparent loss of their own", she couldn't help but glance at Vesper, seeing a flash of her limp body in the dragon's talons. Waiting with bated breath at the answer to Chrys' question concerning the elven children, the cleric let out a breath of relief at Aelar's answer.

"Perhaps we might get lucky and the remaining kobolds have fled in the wake of their mistresses' death. Or could be persuaded to do so." She shrugged, having no qualms with killing them if need be considering their aggression to their group yesterday but the peaceful path was usually one of least resistance. 

Silver was stunned by the sight of the eagle. Such a majestic creature, she could watch it ride the wind all day. However it came to rest by them, and to her surprise a figure stepped from the eagle's back. 

Silver listened attentively to Aelar's words. It wasn't until Nym mentioned persuading the kobolds to leave the keep that she spoke up. "I would prefer to attempt that option, and should be of assistance, speaking their language. I am averse to bloodshed at any time, and there has certainly been enough of it here." She made her way over to Aelar saying "Greetings, I am called Silver. I happened upon this group of Pie Pals you contracted to rescue the children from here and rid it of the dragon, and I believe I was some help in achieving that end. I will do what I can to ensure your people may return to their home." She looks a little embarrassed for a second, before asking, "May I approach your eagle? She is most impressive."

Chrys does a double-take at Silver's words. Impressive, that eagle certainly was.  But the firbolg said it with a note of awe, rather than wariness.

"Buck up an' face yer fears," Chrys mutters to herself under her breath.  "Ye just fought a dragon, a big bird ain't nothin'..."  Stoutly, she lifts her chin and follows after Silver, trying her best to square her shoulders and look confident - and bigger than a snack - to the giant eagle.  She continues to speak with Aelar, though her eyes are glued to the bird, both to communicate and to distract herself from that shining beak.  "Ye, I ain't keen on spreadin' more blood in this here keep.  That ain't th' way ta prepare a place ta return ta life... if we kin finish this business w'out any more blood spilled, that'd be my preference too."

The copper haired elf responds,

"Greetings, Silver. I have not seen one of your kind in many years, but I have known firbolgs to exist deep within the regions around this keep. I am most grateful to you for your part in helping to rescue Lia's children and rid our home of this winged menace. I am Aelar Liadon, one of the leaders, and sadly, one of the last remaining members of our tribe."

"I don't know how much the others told you, but we lost many of our numbers in our battle with the Red Claw orcs, and then even more in the surprise attack that Duskbringer laid upon us. We call ourselves the Warriors of Sehanine, for our devotion to our elven goddess Sehanine Moonbow, who has looked after us through many seasons. There are few of us left, but in saving young Faen and Sylllan, you have guaranteed that our line will continue, and that we will be able live here in peace one again at Ravensglade."

"And yes, your words ring true in my weary ears. Enough blood has been spilled here at the keep, and if there are any more followers of Duskbringer inside, perhaps they will go without a fight knowing that their dragon leader is no more."

"By all means, Silver you may approach him. He is called Awelan, he is so named for the breezes that grace this forest in the summer afternoons. He is a majestic creature, and has been a friend to us since his days as a young eaglet. He allowed Lia and I to return quickly from Dauric's tree home."

Perception to overhear Chrys talking to herself: 19

Trying not to smile too much at the dwarf's pep talk to herself, Nym simply placing a hand on her shoulder, thumb tracing a familiar shape as she cast Guidance, hoping that it would help bolster the warrior's courage. Listening to Aelar explain everything that had happened since they had met them to Silver felt a little surreal and she wondered if this is what it felt like to whoever was the previous newest member of their group besides her whenever they were attempting to catch her up upon her joining. It warmed her to know that these elves could return to their home, even as diminished as they were. Her mind lingered on their dark spider infested basement with fanciful thoughts. 

Pointed ears perking up at mention of a familiar name, Nym smiled, "Did you leave Duaric well?" Then looking to Silver she explained, "Duaric is my friend and a druid that had helped the Warriors of Sehanine."

"Oh, is- mm. Nevermind." She was about to ask if Lia was going to come up to help them with the kobold's as well when she recalled about the woman's arm and bit her tongue. Clearing her throat, Nym stated, "With you to bridge the language barrier I'm sure we can convince the kobold's towards peace. Or at least away from violence. Should we head back immediately?" Not seeing a reason to wait but not wanting to presume. 

Silver nodded as Aelar gave permission to approach the eagle. Really it was Awelan who would give permission, but Aelar would feel better for having been involved. Silver turned to be face-to-face with the eagle.

"Mighty eagle who the elves name Awelan, greetings. I beg permission to approach you, and to stroke your feathers."

Persuasion (with adv from Speech of Beast and Leaf): 24

The giant majestic bird responds to Silver's request with a trusting nod and allows her to stroke his golden brown plumage, which feel as soft as the that of any regular size bird. His long wing feathers are especially impressive, with their smooth, flexible, but incredibly resilient structure that allows for such precise maneuverability. Silver has seen giant birds in the sky before, but this is the first time she's been this close to one of them. 

Aelar says, "He is quite a creature indeed. You clearly possess the ability to communicate with the creatures of nature, but Awelan does in fact understand the common speech. And yes, Dauric is well. He took very good care of us and it was he who actually called Awelan to bring us back here so quickly. He has been an invaluable aid in our time of great need. I thank our Goddess of Moonlight for bringing us to him and for the serendipitous meeting with you all that has brought us resolution to our crisis."

"If it is agreeable you, then it is my preference to head inside right away."

The copper haired elf turns and begins walking around towards the front of the keep. 

Silver smiles as she runs her hand along feathers of the eagle's neck. Magnificent. The Vale was rife with giant creatures, no doubt owing to the area's links to the giants themselves - even the Firbolg were giant-kin. But she had never been so close to one of the great birds of prey which nested high in the trees there, or even the Ice Spires which hemmed the Vale in.

"I have some ability - all of my kind do. Though there are some who train to speak openly with the creatures of the forest, mountain and sky. It sounds as if this Dauric may know how. It is a skill I envy, for the magic which runs in my veins seems not to allow it. Many times have I tried. But I have learned to be content to be understood, if not to understand."

She looks the eagle in his great, golden eyes. "Thank you." Then steps away, not turning her back on the bird. "You are right, we should not tarry. Let us reclaim your home." She joins Aelar and the others as they return to the keep, watching out for kobolds along the way.

Perception: 12

Lumen is happy to join the Kobold hunt and search - this place can’t be too big, can it? He greets Aelar and catches up on missed details of the party’s quest and any news of the outside world… he’s curious if he knows about the hag. And he asks about the spiders in the stairway, if they are recent additions. 

As you head towards the keep entrance, Aelar converses with Lumen and indicates that he does not know about the hags. He's seldom travels outside of this part of the forest, except for the rare visit to Dauric's tree. He also says that he knows little of the world outside the forest, but he did hear rumors that what's left of the Red Claw orc tribe has apparently retreated to the north under new leadership, and he is grateful beyond words that you had a hand in that.

The copper haired elf pays special attention to Lumen's comment about the hidden stairway you discovered in a crevice behind the waterfall at the base of the butte. He asks for more details, and assuming that you share your experience finding the stairs, and being warned away by Fivin, who had indicated that the passage was filled with gigantic poisonous spiders that the elves have been unable to remove, he says with an expression of surprise,

"This is news to me, I do know know of this stairway you found, and I am certainly not aware of any giant spiders that reside below our keep. I wonder how long Fivin has know about these stairs and why he would not share this information with me, as the leader of our tribe. More importantly, why would speak falsely and say that the rest of us knew about these spiders?"

"This concerns me greatly. After we are finished clearing out the keep, will you show me this stairway?"

Chrys frowns.  "I knew he was hidin' somethin', but he didn' seem malicious 'bout it at all when we were grillin' him.  Hopefully this'll be all innocent misunderstandin's.  But I think ye better take me along with ya if ye be facin' spider danger.  I got a hammer an' I specialize in smashin' things jus' like that."

Lumen gets deeply suspicious and agrees to go check out the stairwell. He wonders aloud what Fivin might be hiding in the stairway, or might be afraid of, or what reason he might have not to go up that way. He certainly gives all information about the Red Claws. And he asks if the kids will be alright with Fivin - Lia is there correct?

Aelar answers, "I trust Fivin with the children, and yes, Lia there with them at the base of the butte. She was filled with joy to see them this morning, as they were to see her. We owe you everything for bringing them to safety."

His voice then turns more dour,

"And yes, I too hope that this is an innocent misunderstanding, but I will wait to confront Fivin until I have had a chance to learn more. It concerns me to think that he might be trying to hide something. After we clear the keep, you will show me where to find this crevice and we will see just what lies up that stairway you found."

Walking up to the front of the keep, Aelar pushes open the large ornately decorated oaken front doors and steps into the entry hall. A visible look of sadness turns on his face when he sees the crudely painted dragon's head that now covers the original floor mosaic. He does his best to remain stoic.

"I appears that we have come cleaning up to do."

"The children told us that you found them in the library. Did you explore any of the other areas inside the keep?"

Lumen shakes his head and relays briefly where they have been. (I'm not sure OOC what else we haven't seen here?)

He's game to explore the rest of the place with Aelar.

You have been in the main entry hall (R3), which Aelar refers to as the Tel'Quessir. Straight across is the library (R10) where you found the children. On the far left side of the entry hall, is the area where you killed the kobolds by the pillars (R8) and accessed the stairway up to the Ravens' Council on the second floor, which is where you fought Duskbringer. (R9).

When you were outside, you fought the kobold guards who were up on the wall between the guard towers (R18). The towers and the wall can be accessed from the entry hall.

From inside the grand entry hall, Aelar points out the other areas of the keep and asks you where you would like to start;

• R13 is the access to the bedchambers (R10) on the second floor. 
• R11 is the Dining Hall
• R15 is the Armory
• R16 is the Barracks.

Frowning at the revelation that Fivin wasn't being completely honest about the spiders in the basement, Nym hesitated before offering Aelar, "My Goddess, Eilistraee, has gifted me with a spell that would compel only the truth be said, if that is of use." 

When brought up where they should explore first, her eyes drifted to where they encountered the kobolds inside first and then to the left. "Barracks, armory, dining hall and then bed chambers?" She suggested aloud to the group before explaining, "Seems likely they've holed up in one or even a couple of those areas. Should have someone watch our backs so we're not taken by surprise if they try and sneak up on us, considering we're not exactly the most stealthy group ourselves." Offering a smile to Chrys and Kess, her fellow well armored ladies. 

"Also I admit I'm a little worried what state your food stores might be in while under the wing of a black dragon Aelar... If any of the food is infected with poison or disease I could take some time to detect and purify it if you wish."